New advisory service: Business Risk Services

In line with the strategic growth plans of Grant Thornton Switzerland/Liechtenstein, the existing advisory services are being expanded to include internal audit, enterprise risk management and internal control systems, in short ‘Business Risk Services’. Thomas Michel will head this service line in future. 

Grant Thornton Switzerland/Liechtenstein has appointed Thomas Michel, who is an expert with over 16 years of experience in the field of risk services, as the head of ‘Business Risk Services’. The new service line will add the subjects of internal audit, enterprise risk management and internal control systems to the existing advisory services in line with the strategic growth plans of Grant Thornton. Patrick Hilty, CEO and partner of Grant Thornton Switzerland/Liechtenstein, is looking forward to working with him: “Thomas Michel has extensive international experience in these areas. His practical expertise in the area of risk advisory will help us to expand our advisory services and thus create sustainable added value for our customers.” According to Patrick Hilty, risk management, internal controls and particularly targeted internal audits of operations by experience experts, especially in view of the fast-changing economic environment, are increasingly gaining in importance. The set-up of this service line is enabling us to serve the market even more comprehensively with sustainable services that create added value.

The focus of the new ‘Business Risk Services’ service is placed on the development and sourcing of services in the field of internal audit, enterprise risk management and internal control systems, which are tailored to the needs of the directors and managements of companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein with international operations. Risks and weak points in the achievement of strategic goals are to be identified and rectified in companies in order to help these to operate more efficiently in the market and with greater success.

In the process, the advisory focus will be placed on risk analyses, audits in operational processes, data analyses, the implementation and transformation of customised control systems as well as ensuring compliance within the company.

Thomas Michel has set up and developed risk and governance functions in various ‘Big 4’ companies in Switzerland and in the U.S.A. as a manager and will apply this comprehensive experience to press ahead the development of the new service at Grant Thornton. Due to his career as a senior manager and executive director in different industries both at national and international level, he has profound know-how in the areas of internal audit, enterprise risk management and internal control systems. He also has extensive experience in managing international engagements with up to 20 employees from various countries. Thomas Michel is thus very familiar with the manifold challenges arising in these areas.